Animal-trap.



FiI B. JAMES.

kNzMAL TRAP` AwLlcAloN mi@ ma?. m4.

1,258,01 l Pai-@md Mur. 191B.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. Bl JAMES.

ANlMALRAP.

APPLICATION HLED DEC. 7, NH4.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NNX

umrnn RUTHERFRD IB. JAMES, F ELLSWRTH, LLNOS.

.animan-anse To all 'whom z'z may concern:

Be it known that Ru'rrrsnronn BQ JAMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ellsworth, in county of McLean and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal- Traps, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to an improvement in animal traps, and the object is to provide means for 'setting the door in an open position by the animal after it enters the trap, and as it is entering another compartment.

A further object is in theiprovision of means for preventing the opening of the inner door after having passed through the same.

The invention consists of certain novel -features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanyingr drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view with the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation; and

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view.

A, represents the trap, which is preferably constructed of wire, and is provided with a longitudinal partition l. The entrance or opening 2 has an inclined door trarne 3 'formed therein, to which a door l is pivotally connected. A similar door frame 5 is formed near the rear end of the trame, to which a door 6 is pivotally connected. Each of the doors l and 6 have a cranlt arm 7 connected the-reto at their pivotal points, which arms project through the side of the frame and are connected together by a ilexi-A ble means, such as a cord 8.

A curved or arch-shaped run-way 9 is formed at the rear end of the trap, which has its base located at the bottom ot the inclined door-frame 5. This construction causes the door 6 to travel closely to the inclined or curved surface of the run-way for a considerable distance as it is swung to an open position, and itis necessary for the animal in passing the door t0 push it to its limit of movement, and when the animal once passes the door it is impossible for him to return. Sharp prongs 10 are 'formed the bottom of the door 6 which prevents the animal from returning aiter lie once starts through the door way. When the animal passes through the rear door, it will cause Specification of Letters Patent. @grillig-Qd Egal, 5 "i @aigu Application led December 7, 1914.

Serial No. 875,862.

the resetting of the trap. lt is necessary that the animal, no matter how small, climb the elevation or runway 9, until the door has been raised high enough to set the front 6o door, before he can pass through the rear door.

An opening or passage 1l is termed in the partition l to permit the animal to enter a compartment B on the opposite side of the partition. .A compartment or chamberI C is provided at one end of rthe chamber B for holding` the bait. Doors or covers 1:2 and 13 are pivotally connected to 'the frame and extend over the compartment B and chamber C, respectively for forming a closure therefor.

A, slot is formed in the top of the frame for the insertion et' a. bait holder lei, which is located in front of the door 6.

Pivotally mounted on a tulcrum l5 is a v treadle 16. Connected to treadle is l?, the concave surface of which is enby the door as it oscill tes about its i so that the raising of the door Il will tend to raise one end of the treadle 16 and to rotate it about its axis l5, if necessary,l until the door land treadle 16 will have turned about their axes tar enough to permit the arm 17 and treadle 16 to be released and drop down into a position beneath the door 4,. so as to support and held it in an open nosition. lWhen the animal passes the fulcrum 15 the treadle will nieve downward causing the armto move troni under the .door Il allowing the door to swing to closed position thereby confining the animal within the trap. The animal in seeking an outlet will 'pass through the door i?, which will cause the door l to be swung inv-fard, by the 95 flexible connection 8 whicliconnects the two doors together, and cause the door ti to be raised and to slide past tite end of arrn l?, so as to he supported by the arm if? and held in an elevated position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a very simple tra is provided which can be manufactured at a small cost,.and. which. is. not liable to get out of orderz l claim: l

ln a rat trap, the combination with a frame, having a cent l partition and an inlet opening, or" door trainee formed on one side oit the partition and doors horizontally pivoted thereon, crank arms connected to the doors, exible ineens connecting the crank arms together, a treadle located mear the .inlet opening anff jpiovideci with en arm the opposite sie of the partition, said last which is adapted to autoniaticaliy engage mentioneddoor adapted to operate the other the entmnee door for nonnaily holding it oncausing it to be raised to an elevated in an elevated position, and disengaged position and engaged by the arm as said 15 5 'therefrom upon the actuation of the treadie, last mentioned door is swung open.

and an arch-shaped runway having itsbase ln testimony whereof I aix my signant the base of the innermost doonrame, so ture, in the presence of two Witnesses.

that the door will travel in proximity there- RUTHERFORD B. J AMES. to as it is swung open9 said. psitition having Witnesses: 1G an opening therein whereby the animal may GEO. R. SMITH,

pass from the runway into the vframe on OLIVE M. KIRKPATRIGK. 

